PlasticPilot.net

It seems to me that over the last months, time no longer going-by, but kind of going away. My new life in Frankfurt is cool, but with all the new things to handle, there’s not much time left for reading aviation magazines.

The single survivor is AOPA PILOT, the magazine from the US AOPA. I continue to read it because it comes to me per mail. If I had to buy it in a kiosk, it would probably be gone as well. I already told all the good I think of Rod Machado’s column (click here to read more about it), and I continue to read it, but it’s no longer my favorite one (sorry for that, Rod). There will always be a special place in my heart for the “Never again” column, but it also went down a bit in my personal hierarchy.

One of the things I know yet about aviation is that it’s not only about going from A to B, but also about how to do it. And most imporant is with whom to do it. Aviation is a small world, but no one will ever know all the passionating persons making it.

Without the “Pilots” column of the AOPA PILOT magazine, what were the chances for me to hear about Joiwind Alexander, Dennis Flanagan, or Deana Martin ? I don’t know them personally, but knowing a bit about what they do, and want to do makes me feel optimistic about aviation.

It’s always good, when in doubt, to read about above the average persons. There are many ways to be an exceptional pilot, and not all of them are infamous or mediatic. They probably don’t even look for that, but if the result is that aviation looks more friendly, fun, cool, attractive, this is a very positive side effect.

So, if you want to know a bit more about a less ordinary pilot each month, check the “Pilots” column - now my favotire - in the AOPA PILOT magazine. No need to go through the table of contents to find that page: it’s the last one.

I’m an avid aviation reader, but time is frequently the limit of what I can read. So each time I receive a new magazine, I start reading the columns from authors I know and appreciate. If you’re a fellow reader you won’t be surprised to know that my favorite topics are modern aircrafts and safety.

Feed-back from incidents is always valuable, as well as more general safety analysis. I also like reading on new avionics or engines. I’m not an instructor, but I’m interested in all the human factors issue, flying solo or as a student.

Moreover, if an article on one of these topics is well written and with a touch of humor, it makes it even better. Each time I receive the AOPA Pilot magazine, I first read Rod Machado’s column. The topic is generally interesting, and the tone is always refreshing.

Reading it somehow made my flying better as I apply some of the tricks he suggests. In example, I tend to be crisped on the controls under stress, so I slipped a pen between the yoke and my fingers - one of Rod’s suggestions - and this helped me to relax my finger muscles even when I’m a bit nervous.
Writing is only one of the activities of Rod Machado. He is obviously an active instructor, but he also tours US and Europe as an aviation speaker.

On his website, www.rodmachado.com, you will find his books, CDs, courses, and also copies of many articles he published. To give you an example of his style, here is a very short extract of his “Questions & Answers” page (53 questions answered).

“I met one fellow who claimed the only way he could hold altitude in a steep turn was by continually updating the altimeter setting. This isn’t a good solution. I have a better one.”

The good point www.rodmachado.com is that it is not only a “buy my products” website. Ok, the books, CDs and other material can be ordered from there, but there’s also tons of stuff for free. Be careful however, Rod’s style makes reading it nearly as addictive as flying !